Overview
ERA is calculated as (Earned Runs x 9) / Innings Pitched. Since runs scored due to errors are excluded, it reflects individual pitching ability independent of defensive support. In NPB, an ERA in the 2.00s is considered elite, while sub-2.00 is ace-level. It is also one of the criteria for the Sawamura Award. In recent years, metrics like FIP that focus more purely on pitcher performance have also gained popularity.